FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEBREVARD COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATIONMonday, January 14, 2013

BREVARD COLLEGE WINS CYCLOCROSS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSH​IP

Verona, WI- The Brevard College cycling team won the Division II Collegiate Cyclocross National Championship in Verona, Wisconsin this weekend.

The win marks the second national title for the Tornados this season.

"This was our first year racing cyclocross as a team and we couldn't ask for anything more," head coach Brian Sheedy said. "Everyone worked and raced very hard for this result and I could not be more proud of them, this is really just a very special team."

BC scored 177 points during the two-day event to edge Mars Hill College in the overall team omnium in a tiebreaker scenario.

The two teams both finished with 177 points after Brevard placed first and Mars Hill second in the women's race, and vice versa in the men's race. However, Brevard's Erica Zaveta's first place individual finish in the women's race represented the highest individual finish from either side and gave BC sole possession of the title.

"I'd also like to thank my assistant coach Brad Perley for his hard work, dedication, and expertise," added Sheedy. "He's an excellent coach and an invaluable resource for the team."

The women's team raced on Saturday, battling wet and muddy conditions to place first in the team omnium. Paced by Zaveta's first place finish, Nicole Miranda took 11th while Jana Eilermann finished 18th.

The men's team entered their race on Sunday leading the Lions by 11 points in the omnium. Temperatures dropped significantly overnight heading into Sunday's race, freezing the terrain of the track and changing the dynamic of the competition.

The BC men fought through the treacherous conditions to take second in the overall team omnium, led by Cypress Gorry and Lewis Gaffney, who placed 6th and 7th, respectively. Spencer Lowden finished in 15th, Caleb Welborn in 19th and Keith Marek took 24th to round out the Tornados top performers.

"We are so very grateful to all of our supporters and sponsors, especially Giant Bicycle Corporation, Sycamore Cycles, DeFeet International, The UPS Store, Clay Sykes, Rize Energy Drink, Jerome and Summey Insurance, Braken Mountain Bakery, Cozart DDS, and Amanda Schaap," said Sheedy. "We absolutely could not have won Mountain Bike or Cyclocross Nationals without these incredible relationships."

Last fall, the BC cycling team won its third Division II Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championship in the last four years.